Before you take your first foster animal home you will need the following: for cats and kittens:
  • -litter pan
  • -litter scoop
  • -scratching post (not a necessary but a good idea)
  • -toys (again not necessary but a good idea)
  • -litter (always good to have some on hand)

    for dogs and puppies:
  • -leash (it would be great if you have your own to use for foster dogs, or you can buy one at the shelter)
  • -crate (best if you have your own, but the shelter has a limited number to loan for foster dogs.)
  • -toys (be sure to get something safe for puppies if you plan to foster younger dogs)

    needed for both:
  • - old blankets or towels (just something nice for them to lay/sleep on)
  • -dishes and bowls for food and water
  • -first aid book
  • -room or area to isolate animal
    You will get a Foster Manual for cats and/or dogs the first time you foster. This has some basic information on the types of animals you may foster and other useful information. (i.e.: preparing for a pregnant animal, what to do when you first bring your foster dog home, how to socialize kittens and puppies)

    Why we have the foster program:

    The Foster Program is in place for dogs and cats that need temporary care before they can go up for adoption.
    Example of animals that need fostering are:
  • Dogs with kennel cough [urgent need of foster homes]
  • Cats with URI (cat version of kennel cough)
  • orphans 4 weeks+ (kittens & puppies)
  • pregnant or nursing animals (cats & dogs)
  • mildly ill / injured and under veterinary care (cats & dogs)
  • underweight animals
  • young animals needing socializing (kittens & puppies)
  • Rescues (cats and dogs) -see rescue co-ordinators -long term
  • V.A.P. (Dogs) -see education department for full details -4 weeks

    What you would be doing:

  • - be providing a warm, safe environment for the foster pet in your own home until they are ready to return for adoption.
  • - be giving the foster pet all their basic care needs, TLC, socializing, and possibly medications.
  • - buy your own food, litter. you get a tax receipt for it at the end of the year
  • All special food can be provided (like vet presc. etc)
  • All vet exams,medications/shots done/provided through the shelter
  • -For dogs you would be taking them for regular walks, as well as potentially some basic obedience and crate training (i.e.: re enforcing the "sit","down","come" commands) -information, phone line and pamphlets provided
    Note: we lead out crates for foster dogs, and when we can other items

    Specific rules / time frame:

    The time frame varies with each animals needs, average would be 3 weeks however this can be shorter or longer term.
    I.e.: a pregnant or nursing animals with newborns would need 8-12 weeks (1-2 ½ months)
    Whereas
    a dog with kennel cough or cat with Uri would need 2-3 weeks

    You do not have to be home all day to foster an animal, however if you work long hours you should consider adult animals or nursing mothers rather then young orphans that require more time.

    If you currently have pets you need
  • - to have their vaccinations up to date
  • - have a area/room to isolate the foster pet for at least 10 days
  • - have your animals already sterilized (if you own young kittens or puppies wait until they have had all 3 "baby shots" before fostering any animal)

  • Foster animals are not to be relocated, sold or given away. All adoption are done thought the shelter.
  • Foster cats are to be kept stickily indoors
  • Foster dogs are to be walked on leash at all times and supervised while out in a fenced yard

    Application /Interview:

    You will be asked to fill out an application ( forms with basic information and application), provide some form of ID with your CURRENT address and ideally an image.
    If you just moved and your ID doesn't have your current address bring in a bill that does along with your ID. You will need to go though a small interview and a home visit may be required before you are excepted into the program.

    Description of program (started):

    The program was started by staff in 1983 in order to give animals that needed temporary care before going up for adoption a second chance, but wasn't official till 1985.
    Before going on the foster list animals are health checked by a vet technician and if required seen by the veterinarian.. All dogs and puppies are temperament tested prior to fostering.

    Why and how long your foster animal should be isolated:


    A foster animal should be isolation for 10-14 days when they arrive at your home.
    Even though the animal may have no symptoms of illness and has been checked over by a veterinarian, some illnesses can incubate for this length of time and may not show any symptoms until after the animal has arrived at your home. The isolation period is to reduce the risk of spreading an illness. Even if you do not have any animals of your own you should keep them isolated for this time frame if the animal did get sick the exposed area is greatly reduced and you will be able to clean and disinfect the area for your next foster animal. This isolation also allows the foster animal to get settled.
    Kennel cough in dog and U.R.I. in cats are some more common illnesses that might show up after the animal is fostered out.

    What to feed your foster animal and why:


    Animals at the shelter are fed a specific brand food (IAMS or EUKANUBA). It is important to keep them on the same diet as sudden changes in diet can make them ill, with symptoms such as vomiting and diarrhea. Dog and Puppies are fed dry food. Cats are fed a mix of wet and dry. Young kittens are fed wet food, this is very important as kittens do not thrive well on dry food, and can become seriously ill. You can leave dry food out for them when they are old enough to chew it.


    Special diet:


    If your foster animal is on a special diet, please follow the directions given to you at the time of fostering regarding feeding amounts, length they should be on the diet and feeding schedule. To switch back to the regular diet, slowly mix some of the regular food in with the current diet, each day adding more of the regular food and less of the special diet until you have switched it over completely.

    Medication for foster your animal:


    Sometimes you may foster an animal that needs medication. Do not worry if you have never given that type of medication to an animal, ask one of the staff to show you how to do it. Please call ahead of time if you need a demonstration so that the staff will be able to make the time for you. Some common types
    medications: pills, ear/eye drops, liquid medication and occasionally ointments. Never put the medication in the food unless you're told by a technician. Make 100% certain that the oral medications are swallowed / eaten.

    Medical instructions:


    All medical instructions should be followed. If you have any questions or concerns about the medication, always ask at the time you take your foster animal or call the shelter at any time.
    Remember if you get a foster animal that needs STRICT cage rest, follow all directions and remember the animal needs to heal. Serious medical problems may occur if all instructions aren't followed. Cage rest may be prescribed for an injured animal. Normally having some type of fracture will heal on it's own if the animal's movement is restricted.

    Why should foster dogs be crated?:


    Dog and Puppies normally come from an unknown background and may not be totally house broken. This is one reason all foster dogs should be crate trained. Another being the crate becomes like a den for the dog and they feel safe and comfortable in them. Crate training also will help the dog to be more settled at night and when you are away.
    It is best if you have your own crate for fostering, however, if you need one the Humane Society has a very limited number to be loaned out to foster parents. If you borrow one and find out you do not need it for that foster dog, please return it to the shelter so that another foster parent can borrow it.

    Animal identification:


    All foster parents will get a collar and ID tag with your personal number on it. This collar is to be wore at all times by your foster cat or dog. In the event that your foster animal escapes, notify the shelter immediately, they can also give you suggestions on how to find the wayward animal. The collar and ID tag will help escape artists to be returned to you. This collar is to be washed and reused for your next foster animal (please make sure everyone knows how tight the collar should be.)

    Indoors/Outdoors

    When outside all foster dogs should be on leash at all times, or in a fenced yard supervised.
    Foster cats are to be kept strickly indoors at all times


    What to do in the event of an emergency:


    In the event of an emergency, call the Humane Society emergency line, refer to the shelter number of the animal, tell them your name, explain what happened/is happening. The emergency staff will be able to help you and get the animal the help it needs. All emergencies should go through the shelter, (do not take the animal to your own vet, as it will be done at your own expense.)

    What to do if you can't pick-up a foster animal:


    If you were called to foster an animal, but for some reason became unable to foster or couldn't pick up the animal at the specified time, call the shelter as it will still be waiting for you. Let us know you became unavailable (ie: length of time) and we will find an alternative foster home. If you can't make it in, just call the shelter and let them know when you will be in to pick-up the animal.

    Length of time you should have your foster animal:


    When you sign the foster sheet for your animal, there will be a length of time in which the animal is due back. Please follow this deadline. If the shelter has to call you many times to remind you the animal is due back, valuable time is wasted in which animals needing fostering are left waiting. If your animal is not better in the given amount of time contact the shelter for further instructions, they will advice you on what to do next.


    Bringing your foster animal back:


    When you bring back your foster animal you will be asked to fill out an information sheet. This sheet gives any prospective owner some information on the foster animals and sometimes can mean the difference between them adopting that animal over another based on what you wrote about it. You can also write a more extensive note to go with them or with their information sheet and leave pictures for the new adoptive parent if you wish. You may not be asked to fill one out for young kittens as they tend to be adopted very fast, however if you want to fill one out or do a write up for them please feel free to do so.

    Do not give the animal away:


    Never relocate or give custody to a foster animal without the permission of the shelter. If you have to go away for a short period of time while fostering and have someone willing to babysit your foster animal, contact the shelter to get permission. The person that will temporally be looking after the animal will have to come down to the shelter and give us their name, address, contact number and provide some ID. This should only be done on very rare occasion. Please contact the shelter and notify them that your are taking the animal back from the temporally home.

    What to do if you found someone wanting to adopt your foster animal:


    Sometimes while fostering your animal, you'll come across someone that wishes to adopt them! This is always great news to us!! Have them contact the shelter with the shelter number of the animal. When the animal is ready for adoption, have the person come with you and while you are returning it, the prospective adopter can fill out the adoption application.

    What to do if you wish to adopt your foster animal:


    If you decide to adopt your foster animal, call the shelter and arrange a time to come in and fill out all necessary paperwork. Your foster animal should be healthy prior to adoption. You should do the adoption in a timely manner. The adoption fees should be paid in full at the time of adoption. The adoption price is the same for foster parents. At the time of adoption, please let the staff know how long you will be unavailable to foster (you should give you foster animal some time to settle in to their new home.) If you feel you are no longer able to foster, please let us know, it will prevent us from calling you in the future to take another foster animal.


    If at any time you have a problem with a foster animal, please contact the shelter. The staff will be able to help you out with suggestions on what to do.

    Question and Answer period.

    Basic dog training:
    leash
    promise collar
    not to jump
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